Antonelli made a welcome return to the starting lineup, otherwise the line up was predictable with Menez still serving his suspension. Suso made it to the bench with a trio of primavera players – Mastalli (36), Felicioli (37), Modic (42) – available as well. Honda seemed an improved player in the first half, his run down the right provided the assist for van Ginkel’s goal from close range. Roma continued to be a different, much poorer version of their first half of the season.
The second half’s start was mostly uneventful and slow. But it was Milan who doubled their lead with another Honda cross this time finding Destro. The Roma loanee jumped and leaned on the defender to head the ball in. Roma’s defence wasn’t distinguishing itself. Moments later a cross was a bit too far for a stretched Poli, it fell to Bonavetura’s feet, he somehow too easily beat the Roma defender but shot wide. Poli was screaming to have the ball back but Bonaventura didn’t see or use him. Later a Seydou Doumbia shot injured Antonelli and he was replaced by Bocchetti. Francesco Totti replaced Miralem Pjanic for Roma’s final sub – after earlier subs of Juan Manuel Iturbe for Victor Ibarbo and Adem Ljajic for Gervinho in the first half. The controversial moment of the match arrived in the 72nd minute when Iturbe was seemingly brought down in the box. Replays showed minimum contact with Alex and the referee himself took his time to point to the spot. Totti barely beat Lopez to get his team on the scoresheet and Alex was given a yellow and would miss the week 36 Sassuolo game. Pazzini replaced Destro and had a half chance soon after. Roma seemed to be getting into the match, testing the Milan defense deep for some nervy occasions. Mexes replaced the apparently injured Alex for the third and final sub. Just before the end Pippo was ejected from the sideline and Milan had done enough to overcome the Roma team in the midst of an extended collapse.
The match as it happened.